State: KERALA Agriculture Contingency Plan for District: IDUKKI

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State: KERALA

Agriculture Contingency Plan for District: IDUKKI

1.0 District Agriculture profile

District agriculture profile 1.1 Agro-Climatic/Ecological Zone

Agro Ecological Sub Region (ICAR) Western Ghats And Coastal Plain, Hot Humid Region (19.2) Agro-Climatic Region (Planning Commission) Western Plain and Ghat Region (XII)

Agro Climatic Zone (NARP) High altitude zone (KE-4)

List all the districts or part thereof falling under the NARP Zone Idukki and Wyanad

Geographic coordinates of district

Latitude Longitude Altitude

9° 51′0″N 76° 56′24″E 600 m above

MSL Name and address of the concerned ZRS/ ZARS/ RARS/ RRS/ RRTTS Cardamom Research Station, Pampadumpara

Mention the KVK located in the district Bapooji KVK, Santhanpara P.O, Idukki- 685619 phone: 04868 247541

1.2 Rainfall Normal RF(mm)

Normal Rainy

days (number)

Normal Onset Normal Cessation

SW monsoon (July-Sep 2008): 987.6 73

June 1^stweek Sep 1^stweek

NE Monsoon(Oct-Dec): 506.57 32

October 1^stweek November 3^rd week

Winter (Jan- March) 85.54 6 - -

Summer (Apr-May) 203.6 16

Annual (Actual 08-09) 1783.31 - -

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1.3

Land use pattern of the

district (latest statistics)

Geographical

Area Forest area

Land under non-

agricultural use

Permanent pastures

Cultivable wasteland

Land under Misc. tree crops and groves

Barren and uncultivable land

Current fallows

Other fallows Area (ha)

436328 198413 11867 171 1460 178 2181 940 740

1. 4 Major Soils (common names like shallow red

soils etc.,) Area (‘000 ha) Percent (%) of total

1. Forest loam 210.280 48.19

2. Laterite

3. Brown hydromorphic 4.Alluvial

Others (specify):

1.5 Agricultural land use Area (‘000 ha) Cropping intensity %

Net sown area 229.65

Area sown more than once 60.18

Gross cropped area 289.84

1.6 Irrigation Area (‘000 ha)

Net irrigated area 18.060

Gross irrigated area 7.246

Rainfed area -

Sources of Irrigation Number Area (‘000 ha) Percentage of total irrigated area

Canals 4.117 22

Tanks 6.462 35

Open wells 1.849 10

Bore wells 0.190 1

Lift irrigation

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1.7 Area under major field crops & horticulture etc. (2008-09)

Total Irrigated Area 18.060

Pump sets No. of Tractors

Groundwater availability and use* (Data source: State/Central Ground water Department /Board)

No. of blocks/

Tehsils

(%) Area

Over exploited Nil

Critical one 95.75

Semi- critical Two 56.86

Safe Five 36.50

Wastewater availability and use

Ground water quality Good

*over-exploited: groundwater utilization > 100%; critical: 90-100%; semi-critical: 70-90%; safe: <70%

1.7 Major Field Crops cultivated

Area (ha)

Kharif Rabi Summer Total

Irrigated Rainfed Irrigated Rainfed

Tapioca 1189 4136 2381 7706

Sugarcane 2298 2487

Rice 494 1561 3 57 2115

Ragi 5

Other cereals 26

Horticulture crops - Fruits Total area Irrigated

Jack 11171

Mango 5054

Plantain 3390

Banana 2705 923

Pineapple 1008

Horticultural crops - Vegetables Total area Irrigated

Drumstick 488 296

Bitter gourd 480 480

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Green chillies 52 52

Amaranthus 46 46

Medicinal and Aromatic crops Total area(‘000 ha) Irrigated(‘000 ha)

Pepper 58.2 23.3

Cardamom 33.0 33.0

Nutmeg 2.5 0.1

Vanilla 0.9

Clove 0.7

Ginger 0.6

Tamarind 0.3

Turmeric 0.2

Plantation crops Total area Irrigated

Rubber 39.3

Coconut 17.7 0.7

Coffee 12.6

Cocoa 10.2

Arecanut 3.1 0.1

Cashew 1.3

Fodder crops Total area Irrigated

Fodder grass 1.8

Green Manure 1.2

Total fodder crop area Grazing land

Sericulture etc Others (Specify)

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1.8 Livestock Male (‘000) Female (‘000) Total (‘000)

Non descriptive Cattle (local low yielding) 10.62 59.51

Crossbred cattle 21.78 158.93

Non descriptive Buffaloes (local low yielding) 3.192 11.401

Graded Buffaloes Nil

Goat 38.57 136.43

Sheep 0.161

Others (Pig ) 14.78

Commercial dairy farms (Number)

1.9 Poultry No. of farms Total No. of birds (‘000)

Commercial 413.09

Backyard

1.10 Fisheries (Data source: Chief Planning Officer) A. Capture

i) Marine (Data Source: Fisheries Department) No. of fishermen Boats Nets Storage facilities (Ice plants etc.) Mechanized Non-

mechanized

Mechanized (Trawl nets, Gill nets)

Non- mechanized

(Shore Seines, Stake &

trap nets)

ii) Inland (Data Source: Fisheries Department)

No. Farmer owned ponds No. of Reservoirs No. of village tanks

554 18 Nil

B. Culture

Water Spread Area (ha) Yield (t/ha) Production (‘000 tons)

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i) Brackish water (Data Source: MPEDA/ Fisheries Department) NIL

ii) Fresh water (Data Source: Fisheries Department) 266 2.5 0.732

1.11 Production and Productivity of major crops (Average of last 5 years: 2004, 05, 06, 07, 08) 1.11 Name of crop

Kharif Rabi Summer Total Crop

residue as fodder (‘000 tons) Production ('t) Productivity (kg/ha) Production

(' t)

Productivity (kg/ha)

Production ('t)

Productivity (kg/ha)

Production ('t)

Productivity (kg/ha) Major Field crops (Crops to be identified based on total acreage)

Rice 1968 2071 4501 2066 380 2071 6848

2069

Tapioca 23169

25947

Sugarcane 9733

7.69 Major Horticultural crops (Crops to be identified based on total acreage)

Jack 29 million

nos 2416 no/ha

Pepper 33234 337

Cardamom 7826 236

Coffee 6913 617

Plantain 30969 7013

Banana 16478 6220

Tea 36658 1513

Ginger 2873 3.39

Turmeric 650 2.03

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1.12 Sowing window for 5 major field crops

(start and end of normal sowing period)

Data Not Available Kharif- Rainfed

Kharif-Irrigated Rabi- Rainfed Rabi-Irrigated

1.13 What is the major contingency the district is prone to?

(Tick mark and mention years if known during the last 10 year period) Regular Occasional None

Drought



Flood 

Cyclone 

Hail storm 

Heat wave 

Cold wave 

Frost 

Sea water intrusion 

Pests and diseases (specify) Coconut Mite

Coconut Yellowing



 Others

Land slide



2.0 Strategies for weather related contingencies 2.1 Drought

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2.1.1 Rainfed situation Condition

Early season drought (delayed onset)

Major Farming situation Normal Crop/cropping system

Agronomic measures Remarks on Implementation

Delay by 2 weeks (June 3^rdweek)

Manakkad series

Gravelly Sandy clay–clay loam soils

Coconut based mixed cropping with Pepper, Pineapple, Tapioca and rubber.

Mulching

Bulk organic manuring Sprinkler Irrigation

Micro irrigation

Scheme, RKVY, NREGS

Thommankuthu series Clay loam to gravelly clay loam soils

Forest Vegetation, Rubber, Coconut

-do-

Chinnar series

Sandy loam to Sandy clay loam soils

Forest Vegetation, Tea Coir pith mulching For tea

Venmani Series Loam to clay loam soils

Coconut based mixed cropping with Pepper, Arecanut, Tapioca, Cocoa, Coffee, Turmeric, ginger and rubber

Mulching

Micro irrigation

Scheme, RKVY, NREGS

Pampadumpara Series Silty clay to clay soils

Cardamom, Coffee, Pepper Mulching

Micro irrigation

Scheme, RKVY, NREGS

Anamudi Series Silty loam to clay loam

Forest vegetation, Tea Coir pith mulching For tea

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Condition

Early season drought (delayed onset)

Major Farming situation Normal Crop/cropping system Agronomic measures Remarks on

Implementation Delay by 4 weeks

(july 1st week)

Manakkad series

Gravelly Sandy clay–clay loam soils

Mulching, Bulk organic manuring, Sprinkler Irrigation

Collection and conservation of rainwater,

De silting, repairing and renovation of irrigation channels.

RKVY, NREGS

Thommankuthu series Clay loam to gravelly clay loam soils

Forest Vegetation, Rubber, Coconut

Mulching, Bulk organic manuring, Cover cropping,

Husk Burial

CDB

Chinnar series

Sandy loam to Sandy clay loam soils

Forest Vegetation, Tea Coir pith mulching For tea

Venmani Series Loam to clay loam soils

Mulching, Bulk organic manuring, Sprinkler Irrigation

De silting, repairing and renovation of irrigation channels. Cover crops for rubber

RKVY, NREGS

Pampadumpara Series Silty clay to clay soils

Cardamom, Coffee, Pepper Mulching, Bulk organic manuring, Sprinkler Irrigation

De silting, repairing and renovation of irrigation channels

RKVY

Anamudi Series Silty loam to clay loam soils

Forest vegetation, Tea Coir pith mulching For tea

Condition Early season drought (delayed onset)

Agronomic measures Remarks on

Implementation

Delay by 6 weeks (July 3^rdweek)

Not Applicable

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Condition Mid season drought (long dry spell, consecutive 2 weeks rainless (>2.5 mm) period)

Major Farming situation Normal Crop/cropping system Crop management

Soil nutrient &

moisture conservation measures

Remarks on Implementation

At vegetative stage Manakkad series–gravelly Sandy clay loam

To clay loam

Thommankuthu series

Clay loam to gravelly clay loam Chinnar series

Sandy loam to Sandy clay loam Venmany Series

Loam to clay

Pampadumpara Series Silty clay to clay

Forest Vegetation, Rubber, Coconut Forest Vegetation, Tea

Coconut based mixed cropping with Pepper, Arecanut, Tapioca, Cocoa, Coffee, Turmeric, Ginger and Rubber

Cardamom, Coffee, Pepper Forest vegetation, Tea

Providing shade net for cardamom.

Establishment of leguminous cover crop, Provide Shade to the young plants, white washing the

main stem,

Antitranspirant spray,

Zero tillage, Mulching, Sub-surface storing of ground water, Less exploitation of ground water, Drip irrigation, Mist irrigation Terracing, Husk burial, leaf cutting.

Condition Early season drought (delayed onset)

Agronomic measures Remarks on

Implementation

Delay by 8 weeks (August 1st week)

Not Applicable

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Manakkad series Sandy clay loam

Thommankuthu series - Gravelly loam to gravelly clay

Chinnar series

Sandy loam to Sandy clay Venmany Series

Loam to clay

Pampadumpara Series Silty clay to clay Anamudi Series Silty loam to clay loam

Forest Vegetation

Forest Vegetation, Tea

Cardamom, Coffee, Pepper

Sprinkler irrigation

(especially for

coffee and

pepper), Mist irrigation for cardamom. Avoid trashing,

Providing Shade nets

(Cardamom), Antitranspirant spray,

Mulching, Sub-surface storing of ground water, Less exploitation of ground water, Drip irrigation, Terracing,

Terminal drought Manakkad series Sandy clay loam

Thommankuthu series - Gravelly loam to gravelly clay Chinnar series

Sandy loam to Sandy clay Venmany Series

Loam to clay

Pampadumpara Series Silty clay to clay

Anamudi Series Silty loam to clay loam

Forest Vegetation

Forest Vegetation, Tea

Cardamom, Coffee, Pepper

Establishment of leguminous cover crop, Shading, Pruning of coffee, Antitranspirant spray,

Sub-surface storing of ground water, Less exploitation of ground water, Drip irrigation, Mist irrigation, Terracing, Husk burial, leaf cutting.

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2.1.2 Irrigated situation

Condition Suggested Contingency measures

Major Farming situation

Normal Crop/cropping system Change in crop/cropping system

Agronomic measures Remarks on Implementation Insufficient

groundwater recharge due to low rainfall

Pampadumpara Series

Silty clay to clay

Cardamom, Coffee, Pepper No Change Check Dams, Percolation

Pits, Rain water harvesting structures.

Water conservation Measures.

RKVY

2.2 Unusual rains (untimely, unseasonal etc) (for both rainfed and irrigated situations)

Condition Suggested contingency measures

Continuous high rainfall in a short span

leading to water logging Vegetative stage Flowering stage Crop maturity stage Post harvest Cardamom

Improve drainage facility, Cover crops, Strip cropping with fodder grasses,

Collection and conservation of rainwater, Improve storage facility/godowns

Pepper Coffee Coconut

Heavy rainfall with high speed winds in a short span

Cardamom

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Coconut

Condition Suggested contingency measure

Outbreak of pests and diseases due to unseasonal rains

Vegetative stage Flowering stage Crop maturity stage Post harvest

Improve storage facility Horticulture

Coffee

Remove dead leaves and twigs which harbor the resting stage of the fungus, Provide proper drainage and spray 1 % BM before the onset of monsoon, Prune the affected branches and protect the new shoots and berry stalks with 0.5%

BM, Proper shade regulation to avoid sun scalding.

Pepper

Remove and burn all infected plant debris and dead vines along with root system to reduce the build up of the inoculums in the field. Prune the runner shoots or tie back to vines before the onset of monsoon. Prune off the leaves and shoots of vines to a height of 2 feet from the soil. Application of bio-control agents.

Banana

Remove and destroy severely infected and completely dried leaves, Use disease free healthy planting material. Avoid any sort of root injury through intercultural operations or by nematode infestation, Provide better drainage,

Arecanut

Grow cover crops in the garden and apply in situ. Avoid water stagnation in the garden by providing drainage facilities. Prophylactic spray of 1% Bordeaux mixture with stickers once before the onset of south west monsoon followed by second and third applications at 40-45 days interval. Collect and destroy all fallen and infected nuts.

Condition Suggested contingency measure

Continuous high rainfall in a short span leading to water logging

Post harvest

Horticulture Improve drainage facility, -

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Cardamom Tea Coffee Pepper Rubber

Heavy rainfall with high speed winds in a short span

Improve drainage facility, Proper shading ( Shelter belt)

Horticulture Cardamom Tea Coffee Pepper

Outbreak of pests and diseases due to unseasonal rains

Cardamom Trashing , Proper drainage and spray 1 % Bordeaux mixture with sticker, and drenching with CoC 0.3%,

Tea Pruning, spray 1 % Bordeaux mixture with sticker

Coffee Remove dead leaves and twigs which harbour the resting stage of the fungus, Provide proper drainage and spray 1 % BM before the onset of monsoon, Prune the affected branches and protect the new shoots and berry stalks with 0.5%

BM, Proper shade regulation to avoid sun scalding.

Pepper

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2.3 Land Slides

Condition Suggested contingency measures

Transient water logging/ partial inundation

Seedling / nursery stage Vegetative stage Reproductive stage At harvest

Cardamom Avoid felling of trees in cardamom plantations. Planting of shade trees, Avoid excessive soil alterations along road sides.

Fencing using local tree species. Soil and water conservation measures. Avoid rock blasting in flood prone areas. Weather based crop insurance scheme must be introduced to all crops. Pits taking in contours and mountain valley to be discourage, cover crop raising in plantation sector. Weather forecasting

Coffee Pepper Tea

2.5 Contingent strategies for Livestock, Poultry & Fisheries 2.5.1 Livestock

Suggested contingency measures

Before the event During the event After the event

Drought

Feed and fodder availability

1.Conserving fodder/crop residues/ forest grass by silage /

hay making either by individual or on community basis

2. Preparing complete diets and storing in strategic locations

3. Organize procurement of dry fodders / feed ingredients from surplus areas

4. Establish fodder banks and feed banks 5. Capacity building and preparedness

1.Organise relief camps 2.Supply silage / hay to farmers with productive stock on subsidized rates 3.Segregate old, weak and unproductive stock and send for slaughter

4. Supply mineral mixture to avoid deficiencies 5. Dry fodder must be offered to the livestock in little

quantities for number of times

6.Concentrate feed or complete feed must be offered to only productive and young stock only

1. Capacity building to stake holders on drought /cyclone/flood mitigation 2. Promote fodder cultivation.

3. Flushing the stock to recoup

4. Avoid soaked and mould infected feeds / fodders to livestock

5. Replenish the feed and fodder banks 6.Promote fodder preservation

techniques like silage / hay making

Drinking water

1.Plan for sufficient number of tanks for water transportation

2. Identify bore wells, which can sustain demand.

3.Procure sufficient quantities of water Sanitizers

1.Regular supply of clean drinking water to all tanks 2.Cleaning the tanks in regular intervals

2.Add water sanitizers 1.Rain water Harvesting should be done

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Health and disease management

1.Procure and stock emergency medicines and vaccines for important endemic diseases of the area

2. All the stock must be immunized for endemic diseases of the area

3. Carry out deworming to all young stock 4. Keep stock of bleaching powder and lime 5.Identify the Clinical staff and trained paravets

and indent for their services as per schedules 7.Identify the volunteers who can serve in need

of emergency

1.Keep close watch on the health of the stock 2.Sick animals must be isolated and treated Separately.

3. Carry out deworming and spraying to all animals entering into relief camps

4. Clean the animal houses regularly and apply disinfectants.

5.Safe and hygienic disposal of dead animal carcasses

6. Organize with community daily lifting of dung from relief camps

1.keep close surveillance on disease outbreak.

2.Undertake the vaccination depending on need

3.Keep the animal houses clean and spray disinfectants

2.5.2 Poultry

Suggested contingency measures Convergence/linkages with ongoing programs, if any

Before the event During the event After the event Drought

Storage of feed ingredients Storing of feed and ingredients

Provide kitchen waste and feed additives vitamin mineral mixtures

Cultivation of maize and other feed ingredients

Can be linked with ATMA, NREGS, RKVY

Drinking water Storage of clean drinking

water Provide cold clean water Digging of bore wells for drinking water

Health and disease management Vaccination of birds

Medicated water and Balanced feed should be given

Provide clean coops for shelter

2.5.3 Fisheries/ Aquaculture

Suggested contingency measures

Before the event During the event After the event

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Inland

(i) Shallow water depth due to insufficient rains/inflow Stocking of advanced fingerlings in half or even less than the normal stocking density or stocking of common carp seed

Immediate harvesting or decreasing the density commensurate with the water quantity.

De weeding and deepening of tank to

ensure retention of water for a longer

period and provision of employment

under MGNREGP

(ii) Changes in water quality Regular monitoring of water

quality

parameters and application of geolites, soil probiotics, etc to maintain water qaulity

Immediate harvesting or changing the water quality by application of sanitisers.

Removal of top layer, deep ploughing

of tank and application of lime

B. Aquaculture

(i) Shallow water in ponds due to insufficient rains/inflow Crop holiday or going for stocking of yearlings by reducing the density according to availability of water

Harvesting of fish and leaving the pond fallow till next season

Removal of top layer, deep ploughing

of tank and application of lime

(ii) Impact of salt load build up in ponds / change in water quality NA 2) Floods

A. Capture

Marine NA

Inland

(i) Average compensation paid due to loss of human life

Shifting the people from low lying

areas to relief camps - -

(ii) No. of boats / nets/damaged (iii) No.of houses damaged (iv) Loss of stock

(v) Changes in water quality

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(vi) Health and diseases B. Aquaculture

(i) Inundation with flood water NA

(ii) Water continuation and changes in water quality (iii) Health and diseases

(iv) Loss of stock and inputs (feed, chemicals etc) (v) Infrastructure damage (pumps, aerators, huts etc)

3. Cyclone / Tsunami NA

A. Capture Marine

(i) Average compensation paid due to loss of fishermen lives (ii) Avg. no. of boats / nets/damaged

(iii) Avg. no. of houses damaged Inland

B. Aquaculture

(i) Overflow / flooding of ponds

(ii) Changes in water quality (fresh water / brackish water ratio) (iii) Health and diseases

(iv) Loss of stock and inputs (feed, chemicals etc)

(v) Infrastructure damage (pumps, aerators, shelters/huts etc)

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Marine Inland

B. Aquaculture

(i) Changes in pond environment (water quality) (ii) Health and Disease management